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DCM1000 bridge mode not functioning?

T

toug

Apr 12, 2005
53
0
40
Rhode Island
#1
Bought a Carvin DCM1000 from a fellow TBer. The unit has 3 speakon outputs in the back, one for each channel and then one for running bridged mode.

I plug in my speakon/1/4" adapter into the center one (bridged mode), press in the bridge mode connection, and power the unit up. I had to play near 3 o'clock into an 8 ohm cab just to keep up with my drummer and 2 guitarists(who are playing out a 180W peavey and a 200W line6). The unit is supposed to achieve 700W bridged into 8 ohms, which I figure should be loud as all hell approaching 12 oclock. Anyone have any experience with something like this?

Manual for reference: https://www.carvin.com/manuals/DCM1000.pdf

EDIT: I either have an older amp or the manual is out of date, but note that the manual is missing the speakon outputs.
 
#2
you have stated that you pushed in the bridge switch but you didnt state whether or not you turned off parallel switch(out). I'm assuming that you are running a pre amp of some kind with this setup, if so you should be able to turn the power amp all the way up and run your output volume through your pre amp.
 
#4
where the manual describes how to bridge it doesnt state that the parallel switch has to be out but if you look further in the manual for the hook up diagrams, it will show you that the parallel switch needs to be out.
 
#8
the power amp doesnt necassarly haved to be maxed but you could have it that way if you want. now say you have to volume at 11o'clock on the amp but the pre is at 3o'clock, ya get a good overdrive goin on. you just gain maximum control over the power section with the volume all the way up and using the pre as the master volume.
 
#9
The rear PARALLEL switch allows you to drive both channels from either input. All signals entering any
input will be available on both channels. This eliminates Y adapter cables. This feature is used to “daisy
chain” one piece of equipment to another. Just plug into the unused INPUT (1/4” or XLR) and it will
become an output for other equipment.
Click to expand...

I understand what it means up until the bold. How does the input become an output?
 
#12
Playing with it now, I guess another question I should really be asking is concerning my RBI.

How do the Level/XLR volumes function? I assumed keeping it as 12 o'clock was at unity and anything above that was Gain and not volume. I can't tell from the RBI manual though, it only says it adjusts volume.

Should I be expected to put my RBI level past 12? Or should that at 12 and my poweramp all the way push 700W?
 
#13
Got an old 1/4 speaker cable laying around? Does your cabinet have a 1/4 input jack? Cut the jack off of one of the cable ends, strip the wires and stick them into the two center binding posts. They are labelled 1+ and 2+. It won't matter for a quick test, but the channel 1+ post gets the (+) tip wire and the 2+ gets the (-) sleeve wire. Push in the bridge button, turn the amp knobs up all the way, set your preamp to 20db of boost and stand back. I drive mine with a Seymour Duncan SFX-01 turned up half way. Into two bass cabs (4 ohms) it keeps up with a maxed out Super Reverb and Marshall Blues Breaker quite nicely. If this test works for you, I think the problem is in that goofy "Speakon" speaker cable.
 

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